Abstract:
In the 1940s, Gaston County reformed its historic image as one of the South's corn whiskey capitals by replacing distilleries with plants. The textile industry aided this endeavor and soon Gaston held the distinction \"combed yarn center of America.\" By 1943, Gaston County had 106 mills, 43 alone in Gastonia, the country seat. Giants of the textile industry included: Firestone Tire & Rubber Company (which manufactured fabric for tires), Cramer group, and Textiles, Inc. all located in Gastonia city limits. The industry touched other Gaston towns including: Cherryville, Mount Holly, Belmont, and Lowell.